Kelly Chambliss, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of IBM Consulting, reflects on the power of diverse teams
I love being part of a team. This sentiment likely comes from growing up in a small, rural town where playing sports made me feel part of something bigger than myself. Team sports gave me a sense of purpose, a feeling of belonging, and greater confidence.
It takes a great team to win championships, shatter glass ceilings, knock down roadblocks, solve complex problems, and discover new innovations.
We can accomplish a lot as individuals, but there is something special that happens when a group of determined people with different backgrounds and perspectives work together toward a shared goal. Feeling at home within a team allows us to be our most authentic selves, which leads to better performance and results.
As I reflect on my experiences, it is not just the level of talent or skill that makes a great team. Instead, every great team has shared goals and values; an openness to new and different perspectives; trust in one other; and the ability to adapt to change.
Shared goals and values
Every team needs a shared goal, whether it be winning a championship in sports or gaining market share in business. A shared goal serves to unite, motivate, and inspire. During a match, I remember diving headfirst into bleachers after a volleyball because I did not want to let my teammates down.
Shared goals also empower people to prioritize their time and adapt how they work, with clarity on the intended outcome. Within great teams, a shared goal is coupled with shared values, which enable people to know what to expect from each other, to understand how decisions will be made, and to be driven by a shared purpose.
Openness to new and different perspectives
No one person has all the answers. When we celebrate and embrace our differences, we generate more creative ideas, we are more productive, we deliver better results, and we have richer lives.
It is not enough to build diverse teams. Instead, members of a team must consistently listen, trust, and challenge biases. We sustain greatness within a team by making diversity and inclusion a priority when: teams are formed, meetings are held, decisions are made, success is celebrated, and recognition is given. Great teams include people that encourage each other, support each other, care for each other, and put others first.
Trust in one another
Within a great team, every person is heard, seen, and appreciated. This does not happen by accident. To bring out the best in others, it takes each team member encouraging each other to achieve goals, providing support when mistakes are made, and trusting one another. Trust provides the feeling of safety and the courage necessary to take risks, challenge norms, and be creative, which are all essential to innovation, progress, and performance.
Ability to adapt to change
Great teams consistently strive to learn, grow, and move forward. When we are challenged to think differently and when we share knowledge and experiences, it leads to better outcomes. The ability to pivot, to change, and to adapt has never been more important. Teams that iterate and experiment are critical to thriving in today’s dynamic and evolving world.
As colleagues, teammates, and people, we are at our best when we are part of a great team; one that has shared goals and values, is open, trusting, and adaptable. We are better, and stronger, together.
